\n David Da Costa scores for second straight match, James Pantemis makes 10 saves<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES \u2013 David Da Costa<\/a> scored off a pass from Kristoffer Velde<\/a> early and the Portland Timbers fought to a 1-1 draw on the road with Los Angeles FC Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.<\/p>\n The Timbers defense faced 34 shots, blocking 11 with goalkeeper James Pantemis<\/a> making 10 saves.<\/p>\n \n Goal-Scoring Plays<\/p>\n POR \u2013 David Da Costa (Kristoffer Velde), 4th minute: Following an interception in his own half, Kristoffer Velde dribbled up the left wing and cut inside towards the top of the box, laying off a pass to an on-running David Da Costa. Da Costa took a first-time left-footed shot from outside the six-yard box to beat the goalkeeper at the lower near post.<\/p>\n LAFC \u2013 Denis Bouanga (Jude Terry, Aaron Long), 79th minute: Denis Bouanga dribbled up the edge of the box on the left side and netted a right-footed shot through traffic to the far side.<\/p>\n \n Tonight\u2019s Performers<\/p>\n Kristoffer Velde assisted David Da Costa in Portland\u2019s opening goal, both earning goal contributions in a second straight match. With his strike, Da Costa reached three goals and 10 total goal contributions on the season. It marks Da Costa\u2019s third back-to-back goal contribution performance of 2026. With the buildup play, Velde became the outright club leader in assists (nine) and goal contributions (14) this year. Notably, Velde\u2019s performance tonight marked a goal involvement in five of his last six MLS appearances (1G, 6A) and has been directly involved in Portland\u2019s last four goals scored (1G, 3A). The 26-year-old is currently tied for fourth-most assists in all of MLS. James Pantemis recorded his second-most saves in a match for Portland this season, ending the night with 10 stops after recording five saves in each half.<\/p>\n \n Mart\u00ed Cifuentes: “Overall, I think it’s a valuable point”<\/p>\n \n Notes<\/p>\n The Timbers (8-9-4, 28pts) remain in ninth place in the Western Conference following tonight\u2019s draw. \n Next Game<\/p>\n
\nThe Timbers earned four of six possible points in the 2026 series against LAFC (1-0-1).
\nPortland played its seventh competitive match in a 22-day span.
\nIn that seven-game stretch, the Timbers earned points in five games (4-2-1).
\nIn 10 games across all competitions since returning from the summer international window, Portland has gone unbeaten in eight (6-2-2).
\nThe Timbers have scored in 11 straight matches across all competitions.
\nDavid Da Costa opened the scoring, netting a goal in consecutive matches.
\nIt comes as Da Costa\u2019s third goal and 10th goal contribution of the 2026 season.
\nIt marks Da Costa\u2019s third back-to-back goal contribution performance of the campaign.
\nKristoffer Velde provided an assist in Portland\u2019s opening goal, doing so in back-to-back matches.
\nVelde has now reached club-highs in assists (nine) and goal contributions (14) on the season.
\nNotably, the Norwegian has been directly involved in Portland\u2019s last four goals scored (1G, 3A).
\nAdditionally, Velde has recorded a goal contribution in five of his last six MLS appearances (1G, 6A).
\nIn two starts against LAFC this season, Velde has registered a goal and two assists.
\nVelde is currently tied for fourth-most assists in MLS.
\nJames Pantemis ended the night with 10 saves, recording five in each half.
\nTen saves in a match are Pantemis\u2019 second highest of 2026, behind only his career-record 13 saves at Salt Lake on May 2.
\nEric Miller<\/a> made his first start of the campaign.<\/p>\n